The Anti-Federalist Papers

The Federalist Papers

U.S. Congress

Saturday, December 20, 2008

On numerous occasions The Liberty Sphere has decried the lifting of Castro's butcher/mass murderer Che Guevara to hero status by college students, Obama supporters, and others of the liberal persuasion.

As we have stated before, Obama campaign offices around the country had pictures of Che hanging on their walls. Tee-shirts with the image of the Communist hitman are a hit on campuses.

And immediately following Barack Obama's election, a statue of Che Guevara was erected in Central Park in New York City.

Oh, and here’s Che lamenting the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis: “If the missiles had remained, we would have used them against the very heart of America including New York. We must never establish peaceful coexistence. In this struggle to the death between two systems we must gain the ultimate victory. We must walk the path of liberation even if it costs millions of atomic victims.”

Thus, in essence Che wanted to take the 'revolution' for Communism to the U.S. mainland by firing Soviet nuclear bombs into the heart of New York City.

Does being spectacularly wrong about a major issue in your field of expertise hurt your chances of becoming the presidential science advisor? Apparently not, judging by reports from DotEarth and ScienceInsider that Barack Obama will name John P. Holdren as his science advisor on Saturday.

Blogonomiconreports that the Israelis are working on a roadway that will generate enough electricity to power 12 small cars. Neat! Recharging while you drive.

Free in Idahoopines on how long it will take Amazon to deliver your copy of The Founders' Second Amendment: Origins of the Right to Bear Arms.'Sydpoints to Joe Huffman's coverage of the gun battle raging in Seattle.

A “defamation” of religion resolution stating that “Islam is frequently and wrongly associated with human rights violations and terrorism” passed in the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday – but with fewer votes than in previous years..

Where is the resolution condemning defamation of Jews? Christians?

The Jews in particular have been historically the most maligned religious group in the history of the world. So where has the U.N. been on THIS issue?

We must never forget that Obama has repeatedly called for a 'civilian security force' that is every bit as powerful as the U.S. military.

Why would a man running for public office say such a thing? And why would he repeat it once elected?

Obama-apologists minimize the proposal by saying it is nothing to be feared, that he only wants the citizens to serve their country in some capacity even if they can't serve in the military.

Excuse me, but that's NOT what the man said.

He said civilian security force. And he also said that its function would be to observe and protect the homeland against any danger from any source.

It is not coincidental that the U.S. military has plans to re-deploy troops to the mainland to assist the police and FBI in 'maintaining order and security.'

Obviously, the powers that be do not believe even the military will be enough. After all, we do have a war on terror we are fighting across the globe against those who want to kill us. Thus, the call for ordinary citizens to trade in their shoes for the jack-boots.

These jackbooted government thugs (a term first used by a former President of the NRA back when the organization actually had balls) will spy on fellow citizens, and report 'subversives' and 'insurrectionists' to the authorities.

In short, anyone who does not cow-tow to the new order will be deemed suspect at the very least, and if they actively oppose that new order they automatically become a subversive or insurrectionist.

And some people actually marvel that since Obama's selection as President, gun sales have surged by 50% or more.

These good folk who are flocking to gun stores are not only afraid that their gun rights are going to be taken away. They are afraid they are going to have to fight jackbooted thugs who come in as paratroopers with hoods to oppress the citizenry and confiscate weapons.

As another former President of the NRA stated, '...not unless you pry it from my cold dead hands.'

Thursday, December 18, 2008

This blog is essentially about human liberty. If there is a common thread that holds all if its posts together it would be the fight to protect freedom and to stand against ALL attempts from ANY source to encroach upon that freedom.

One thing I have noticed after roughly 2 years of blogging is that there is an element in the blogosphere that will attempt to minimize and marginalize your voice unless you 'tow the party line,' i.e., agree with them.

Some time ago a fellow blogger warned that there are those around and about who would definitely attempt to minimize my voice.

This is 100% true.

The Liberty Sphere has been totally ignored by some who have received nothing but constant attention by me via the links to their blogs.

But I would be remiss without quickly acknowledging that this group is a minority. Most of you have been most supportive at one time or another.

I realize that this blog is not everyone's cup of tea. My opinions are strong, and I WILL fight for them. I don't mind calling a spade a spade, and that includes 'sacred cows' such as the NRA, the GOP, the Libertarian Party, Google, or any other group or entity that I think is headed down the wrong path on an issue.

This stance has included advertisers. I dropped American Express when they accepted a government bailout.

In fact, I have dropped ALL advertisers at this point. I am not going to be 'beholden' to anybody or afraid to speak my mind for the fear it may 'offend' someone. If anyone wishes to advertise here it will be due to their support for this blog's main purpose--to promote human liberty.

This goes for bloggers and readers as well. If my views on the 2nd Amendment, the 1st Amendment, politics, religion, or any other issue costs me readers and support, then so be it. I would rather forever dwell in the deepest bowels of blogosphere hell than to sell out my convictions in order to placate a misguided audience that may bring me a lot of 'traffic.'

I am not going to kiss ANYBODY's ass. I am my own man and I am capable of thinking quite independently and choosing my own path. I don't need either your approval or your permission.

If this means that I will only have a few hundred readers forever and ever, so be it.

But I will not budge. I will not back down. I will not tone down anything that I feel strongly about. And if this means you can't stomach it and thus won't support this blog, then perhaps all of your supposed support for 'free speech' is nothing more than bullshit.

Free speech, free expression, etc., is about nothing if not supporting speech that you may not like.

Come January I am going to have a 'tip jar' on this blog. If you like what's here, if you support my objectives, then you can support it of your own free will.

Oh, and to those of you wish I would just go away, I will quickly add that I have no intention of going anywhere. I am here to stay. So live with it.

Free speech, free Press, the right to free religious expression, the right to assemble freely, and the right to carry and use guns--these are the things I cherish.

Many obviously believe these values are no longer worth fighting for in America. You won't find that sentiment here. If these values are going down, they are not going down without a fight.

Central to human liberty is truth. And I am going to tell the truth come hell or high water.

Focusing on guns, politics, and news of interest, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Michelle Malkinreports that the Ohio government worker who pilfered through Joe the Plumber's private records has resigned, and 2 of her coworkers have been fired.

Mike McCarvillepasses along the stunning news that Obama's approval rating is the highest ever, despite the corruption and scandal. Looks like Chicago is not the only place in America that's been dumbed down.

JRsays he opened his email box this morning to find baffling news about Obama's new plans for economic stimulus...where is this money coming from?

Dustin's Gun Blogreports alarming news that increasingly citizens who are pulled over for speeding are being disarmed to boot.

Bear on a Bicycleprovides a good read entitled, 'Thoughts on Thoughts--Tools and Weapons.'

John Lott has a truckload of evidence implicating mischief on the part of the Minnesota Canvassing Board, which apparently is determined to give the election to Al Franken. This will change forever Minnesota's reputation for 'clean' elections.

Tamsays there is a petition going around in an attempt to 'save the rifles.'

OpenCarry.orghas all of the news and political alerts concerning open carry around the country. Just click and start scrolling. There are many other forums in their discussion area as well.

In response to a newspaper writer, Mike Vanderboegh has written a letter suggesting that not only is the NRA losing its firepower, but that this may actually endanger gun-grabbers more than anyone else.

The mode of operation over the last few years on the part of both the NRA and the GOP is cause for some alarm. Too many deals have been cut with too many shady characters who have too many plans to undercut Constitutional rights.

In addition, the Press is going to be in deep trouble is if dares write anything that goes against 'the party line.'

As we all know, those who will throw 2nd Amendment rights under the bus will not think twice about throwing 1st Amendment rights under there as well.

On numerous occasions over the past few years The Liberty Sphere has taken Warren to task for his penchant for cozying up to politicians who have the least in common with Christian conservatives, such as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

Both have spoken at Warren's church in California.

As a conservative Christian, I have made no bones about my views on Rick Warren. I think he is headed down the wrong path, and I believe that he is making ungodly alliances with wolves who stand against everything Christianity holds sacrosanct.

In fact, Warren is due at least some of the blame for the fact that some evangelical Christians felt free to vote for Obama in spite of his blatant anti-Christian views on a number of issues. Warren gave Obama a rather large platform from which to work his magical charms, even on some of the faithful.

I am therefore not a bit surprised that Warren is going to stand on the inaugural platform with Obama and symbolically lend his blessing to someone who is no friend of traditional Christianity.

Furthermore, the suggestion of the reporter in the news story cited above that Obama and evangelical Christians share a common view on social issues is pure, unadulterated balderdash.

Traditional Christians have NEVER believed that it is the place of government to do what Jesus commanded INDIVIDUALS to do OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL.

In fact, I would call on Warren to repent of this travesty lest he veer so far off the path as to become another Lot who makes his bed in Sodom.

At least Senate Democrats have retained at least one tiny thimbleful of scruples. Embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has been informed that Senate Democrats will not seat anyone that the Governor appoints to Barack Obama's vacant seat.

As I have already reported, the Fairness Doctrine won't even be necessary once Obama finishes revamping the FCC. His 'local monitoring committees' that will be set up to determine whether or not stations are 'fair' will effectively end conservative talk radio, Fairness Doctrine or not.

But the footsoldiers in the army of the neo-Commies seem determined to revive the (Un)Fairness Doctrine anyway, just for good measure.

It is time for someone, somewhere to state a simple truth regarding the District of Columbia after the Heller decision by the Supreme Court.

Some of you are not going to like it, but it is still the truth. And I will say it.

D.C. now has more gun control after Heller's supposed 'positive' decision than before.

Justice Scalia's words, while gratifying in one area--the affirmation of the right to self-defense with handguns--his majority opinion nonetheless left enough holes for anti-gun forces to actually get away with MORE gun control on the state and local levels.

D.C. is the proof.

Since the Heller decision, D.C. has passed strict registration requirements and specified the types of guns citizens may own.

And on Tuesday the D.C. council voted to approve yet another gun control measure, this time requiring gun owners to receive hours of classroom training with an instructor and a specified amount of time on the firing range BEFORE they can register.

The measure also requires that gun owners re-register their firearms every 3 years. Further, gun owners must undergo background checks every 6 years.

In a rare moment of true journalism in today's world, a reporter asked Barack Obama a question that gets to the heart of the issue of the vacant Senate seat-Blagojevich-Emanual scandal: Obama's lies.

Obama stated early on that he was going to take a 'hands off' approach to the choice of his replacement in the Senate, yet proceeded to talk directly to Blagojevich about the choice, and then word came today that his chief of staff Rahm Emanuel talked to Blago 21 times about the seat.

Somebody, obviously, in addition Blagojevich is not being truthful here.

The truth must hurt. The video below shows Obama cutting off the reporter's question, lecturing him about 'not wasting his question.' Obama is clearly irked.

When a liberal compiles a supposedly definitive volume on the 'quotes of the year,' we can rest assured the quips chosen will most assuredly reflect the bias of the compiler.

This is especially true when the liberal in question is a Yale professor.

Fred Shapiro is a Yale historian who compiles a yearly volume entitled, The Yale Book of Quotations.'

Mainstream media reporters love it because it gives them another opportunity to lampoon conservatives and Republicans while extolling the virtues and 'wisdom' of liberals and Democrats.

The problem is that the book is presented as a standard, objective, and non-partisan source of quotations...which is always the cover behind which liberals hide so they can spout their venom while claiming objectivity.

Gateway Punditreports the explosive news that the Feds have captured on tape Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel having at least 21 different conversations with corrupt Governor Blago concerning Obama's Senate seat. But of course, Obama stated his internal 'investigation' revealed 'nothing improper' on the part of his staff.

This is the first time since the old Soviet Union that Russian warships would be sent to Cuba.

The Russian vessels have already visited Venezuela, held military exercises in the Caribbean, and crossed through the Panama Canal--all for the first time since World War II.

It would appear that Russia is reviving its old Cold War alliances with certain Leftist regimes in the Western Hemisphere.

RINO John McCain stated during the campaign that there would not be another Cold War with Russia. Such a statement is difficult to comprehend given that Russia presently is doing everything it can to replicate its Cold War alliances and its adversarial relations with the West.

The Wall Street Journal published an article on Monday reporting the details of Google's admitted manipulation of search engine results to reflect its 'editorial criteria.'

Gone, says the Journal, are the days when Google was an unbiased source of search information.

In fact, apparently both Microsoft and Yahoo, in addition to Google, have quietly removed 'network neutrality' from their standards of service.

The freedom to make information available on the Internet is now for sale to the highest bidder.

Google and the other services plan to offer a fast track to the top of their search engine results to those who pay for it. Google could also give preferential treatment to its own services.

The net result of this move could well be the demise of smaller, less affluent sources of information. And large corporations such as Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon would totally dominate search engine results.

A deadly virus has hit the U.K. that has sent hospitals into panic mode.

So many are sick that medical facilities can't keep up with the patient load. The problem is complicated by the fact that hospitals are shutting down wards to new patients in order to contain the virus.

The bug, known as a 'norovirus,' is characterized by projectile vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and headaches. So severe are the symptoms that vulnerable patient populations such as children and the elderly are placed at high risk for death.

I sure hope this thing doesn't cross the Atlantic. Perhaps it's time to quarantine the entire U.K.!

Monday, December 15, 2008

This is a Liberty Sphere classic from 2006--one of my first posts after launching this blog. It is entitled, 'An Ignored American Benchmark--Dec. 15.'

On December 15 we mark one of the most important dates in American history, yet it is one with which I am sure many of you may not be familiar. The 'Bill of Rights Day' is celebrated on December 15, and the fact that this date in history is one of the most unnoticed and ignored speaks volumes about the U.S. educational system.

Since 1941 the ratification of the Bill of Rights has been commemorated in this country on December 15. Yet today, I am sure that the average guy on the street has no clue that one of the most significant events in human history happened on that day...thanks to the dumbing down of the educational system and the failure of modern politicians to give proper recognition to the basic rights we all are guaranteed in the United States of America.

The original Constitution, ratified in 1788, had no Bill of Rights. The fledgling young Republic had just managed to fight off the British for their independence and declare themselves a new nation united by a commonly accepted rule of law--the U.S. Constitution. Yet long before the Constitution was ratified many of the Founders insisted that the document would be woefully incomplete without protecting certain individual rights. One of these was James Madison, who was elected by Virginia to the first Congress upon the promise that he would work for a Bill of Rights.

George Mason, also of Virginia, refused to sign the original Constitution precisely because it contained no Bill of Rights. Mason had written a Bill of Rights for the state of Virginia which many other states used to adopt their own Bill of Rights.

Patrick Henry had originally opposed the inclusion of the Bill. Revisionist historians often use Henry as some sort of proof that the Founders were not in agreement about the rights that should be guaranteed to the citizens. Nothing could be further from the truth. Henry also opposed the Constitution. But this was not due to anything other than his opposition to a centralized government of any kind, believing instead that such power should be reserved for the states.

It is also to be noted that in spite of Patrick Henry's initial opposition, he would later change his mind and work for both the U.S. Constitution and for the ratification of the Bill of Rights.

Having succeeded in getting a Constitution approved by the states, the Founders went to work on a document that would protect the rights with which each citizen had been endowed by their Creator. The Bill does not 'grant' or 'give' rights. The rights are automatically inherent in our very existence. The Constitution PROTECTS these basic, inherent rights.

In 1789 the Bill of Rights was written in Federal Hall in New York City, which at the time was the capital of the U.S. The first Congress was made up of 26 Senators and 65 Representatives from the 13 states. On September 25, 1789, Congress passed 12 amendments to the Constitution which would be called the Bill of Rights. In October of that year President George Washington sent a copy of the 12 amendments to the states for their approval.

From October of 1789 until December of 1791 the thirteen states debated the amendments. By the time the amendments had made their rounds the original 12 amendments were whittled down to 10. On December 15, 1791, Virginia became the eleventh state to ratify the 10 amendments, and thus, according to the provisions of amending the Constitution, the Bill of Rights became part of the supreme law of the land.

During these days when collectivist revisionists see no inherent individual rights in the Bill of RIGHTS, it is vitally important to note that the sole motivation of the Founders in insisting on the Bill was the protection of INDIVIDUAL rights. It is impossible, for example, for someone to make a valid philosophical argument claiming that the 2nd Amendment does nothing but establish a militia, when the whole idea of the Bill to begin with was to protect the INDIVIDUAL rights of citizens.

Thus, on this December 15 let each of us as Americans give thought to the basic philosophical premise that motivated the Founders--that each individual American is free, and as such, we are guaranteed the protection of certain specified individual rights. If no such guarantee exists, then the whole notion of establishing a free Republic was in vain.

'I mean, come on, what's the big deal here?'--reporter Jim Lehrer of the PBS 'News Hour', when speaking about the massive corruption of Governor Rod Blagojevich and the Illinois political machine.

'This is just the way the world works.'--'Meet the Press' host David Gregory and a guest, when discussing the Blago-scandal.

NPR's Robert Siegel interviewed Chicago Sun-Times reporter Laura Washington, who seemed 'astonished' at Blogojevich's 'stupidity', when merely one month ago she reported that if Blago was anything he was clearly 'not stupid'--the subtle suggestion, of course, that stupidity is a valid excuse for being corrupt as a gangster.

And naturally, the mainstream media has broken its back trying to portray Obama as 'distancing himself' from Blagojevich repeatedly, when we all know by now that his top adviser met at least once with Blago to discuss possible replacements for Obama's Senate seat.

I will be candid with you. I thought the MSM had descended about as far as it could go with its blatant cheerleading for Obama during the campaign. I was wrong.

As bad as that was, this is infinitely worse--making excuses for a corrupt politician who wanted to sell a Senate seat to the highest bidder.

Had only Richard Nixon been so fortunate in 1974 to have the entire news industry on his side, making excuses for his lapses in ethics....

I say every single one of the bums who made these statements in support of Blagojevich should be immediately fired on the spot.

It is abundantly clear, based upon Obama's statements and his choices for foreign policy advisers, that the incoming President will make it extremely difficult for Israeli politicians who are opposed to peace plans that mandate concessions to enemies who wish to annihilate it.

Bill Clinton did the same thing during the 1990s, the result being that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had an extremely difficult task in holding off Israel's mortal enemies due to immense pressure from the American administration.

We are now facing another era in American-Israeli relations where the Hebrew nation is being placed on the defensive against a huge worldwide consensus that contends that it alone is to blame for the ills of the Middle East--the very same propaganda put forth by Hamas, Hizbollah, and other Islamic terrorist organizations.

It is no surprise that the Obama administration will jump on board this shameful display and once again pressure Israel to simply hand over Jerusalem and other key areas. Anti-Israeli advisers have been chosen by Obama, and some of these are retreads from the Clinton years.

Finally, Google has admitted to doing what critics have claimed all along. The company manipulates search engine results based upon editorial criteria.

For years Google has claimed that its search engine results were totally impartial and 'computer-generated.'

According to Andrew Orlowsk at 'The Register,' Google's objectivity is giving way to admitted deference to arbitrary, editorial decisions based upon the views of a special unit the company has set up to determine content priority in its search engine results.

And thus,

Google is moving into new territory: not only making arbitrary, editorial choices - really no different to Fox News, say, or any other media organization. It's now in the business of validating and manufacturing consent: not only reporting what people say, but how you should think.

Google has further admitted that when it comes to page rank, some 'votes' (clicks) are worth more than others...meaning, of course, Google is now going to weight votes based upon how relevant or 'worthy' a story or post on a blog may be.

The problem with all of this is that in the anticipated demise of print media, news organizations are increasingly relying on Google for stories that they simply rewrite and post on their websites.

Google will thus be the centralized power through which all news, stories, and opinion will pass.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Sarah Palin's home church in Wasilla, Alaska, the Wasilla Bible Church, has been damaged by arson, according to a news report at Townhall.com.Investigators have concluded that the fire was definitely caused by arson, but they declined to say if there is any connection between the arsonist's motive and Palin.

The church's Pastor also declined to comment on whether or not the church has received any threats related to Palin's connection to the church.

For her part, Governor Palin contacted the Pastor expressing her regrets if the negative attention she received during the campaign led to criminal activity against the church.

Palin had received heavy criticism on the campaign trail for her religious views concerning abortion, homosexuality, and a host of other issues. And activists of late, particularly with regard to the homosexual issue, have turned violent.

The fire caused over $1 million dollars' worth of damage to the church. A few church members, including children, were inside the church when the fire was set, but no one was injured.